MLS: Union sputter in scoreless draw with Montreal

CHESTER ó Thereís a point of pride uttered often among the 2013 Philadelphia Union focusing on an impressive stat: Through the seasonís first sixth months, the team hadnít lost back-to-back games in MLS play.

With the Eastern Conference leaders Montreal coming to town, that credential would face a test Saturday. And while it remains true after the Unionís 0-0 draw with the Impact, itís not the ideal result for their playoff hopes.

The Union (10-8-9, 39 points) have run into a bit of an offensive slump, with the team having found the net just once in the last 285 minutes. Itís the third scoreless draw theyíve played out this season, all coming the last seven games.

The Union had their chances, perhaps the best coming from Jack McInerney in the 78th minute when he rose for an unmarked header at the near post. But the Union striker could only get a glancing header to it as the ball rolled out for a throw in.

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The last time the two teams met in May, the Union allowed five goals in a 5-3 loss at the Saputo Stadium. The Union came off a 5-1 loss last week at New England, while Montreal saw off Houston by a 5-0 margin that moved them into sole possession of first place in the Eastern Conference. But there would be no such result tonight.

The Union got a boost before the match with Keon Daniel and Ray Gaddis both revering from ankle injuries to start. The return of Gaddis, who missed the last two games, allowed the Union to slot Sheanon Williams into central defense for the suspended Amobi Okugo, with Gaddis filling in his more natural right back position.

Despite controlling large parts of the first half, the Union were almost beaten to a first goal by Montreal (12-7-6, 42 points). Former Union midfielder Justin Mapp pounced on a turnover by Fabinho in the midfield and fired a shot from 20 yards that Zac MacMath fumbled in the 25th minute. Marco Di Vaio looked to pounce on the rebound but was adjudged to be offside.

It was the only save MacMath had to make in recording his league-leading 10th shutout.

The Unionís best chance of the first half came in the 42nd minute. Montreal defender Jeb Brovsky was caught out by Danny Cruz, who squared a pass to Sebastien Le Toux near the penalty spot. Le Toux, who was down clutching his face for several minutes early in the first half after an awkward collision with Montreal defender Hassoun Camara, blasted one right into the chest of Troy Perkins, who got over for the point-blank save. McInerneyís follow hit the side netting, but Perkins had his post well covered anyway.

The Union almost had the opener in the 57th when McInerney tested Perkins from distance. The goalkeeper could only beat the ball away with his fists, but Camara got his foot in front of an onrushing Le Toux to prevent further damage.

The Impact had the ball in the net in the 62nd minute, but Di Vaio, MLSís leading scorer, was correctly ruled offside.

Second-half sub Kleberson fired a pair of shots toward the target, but they didnít trouble Perkins, whose eighth clean sheet of the campaign kept the Impact in first place, pending the nightís late results.